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by Celia Hevesi

Australia's contemporary music scene has grown in leaps and bounds with the success of bands such as Grinspoon, Regurgitator and The Living End. This scene is set to develop even further with the Government's $10 million contemporary music development package.

The package will support the development, promotion and distribution of Australian contemporary music - which includes rock, pop, jazz, folk, new classical and Indigenous music - through two State pilot projects and by injecting funds into a number of other initiatives.

• Arts Tasmania will use the $1 million it receives to establish a music distribution organisation, increased advocacy and infrastructure support and develop a coordinated program of regional and metropolitan performances and a comprehensive mentorship program.
• Arts South Australia is being provided a total of $1 million, with an additional $80 000 from the South Australian Government, to establish a 'Music House', an industry website, trade fairs and a marketing and distribution program.
• A total of $2.55 million will go towards business planning, business networks and industry development initiatives, taking into account the excellent range of ideas and proposals received in the consultative process. These initiatives will be further developed in discussion with industry representatives over the coming months, to ensure the most effective outcomes.
• The Australia Council's Contemporary Music Export Development Program has received an additional $2.15 million. The program assists Australian musicians to develop export markets. The program recognises that many independent record labels and managers lack the resources to effectively promote their artists in key overseas markets. The Australia Council will use $750 000 for research and development of new technology options, including the online initiatives to support the promotion, profile and export of Australian contemporary music.
• Community broadcasters have a history of supporting Australian music, and will receive $1.5 million for a national community satellite network and real audio Internet site for 100 per cent Australian music content. Many new artists and bands often receive their first break on community radio and stations provide valuable training for the technical and production side of the industry. The satellite network, due to be launched in August this year, will involve a high quality, stereo music service, operating via the community broadcasting satellite platform and providing separate 'blocks' of all music genres. The funding will also enable an Internet website to be established to augment the satellite service, providing music and a range of interactive services. The site will be a natural extension of the Community Access Network, established as another Government initiative to link all community stations via the Internet.
• An extra $1.05 million will go to the Commonwealth Government's funding program Playing Australia, to promote touring contemporary performances.

Contact

Mark Cannon, Industry Development and Training 02 6271 1977 or email jen.levy@dcita.gov.au

• Document ID: 11467 |
• Last modified: 5 February 2008, 6:04pm